Indiana is home to a variety of bees, wasps, and hornet species. While they may sometimes be viewed as pests, most of these insects play important roles in their ecosystems. Learning to identify the most common species can help Hoosiers coexist safely with these misunderstood creatures.
Bees
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Honey Bees: European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the most widely managed pollinator in the world. Honey bees live in large perennial colonies and produce honey. They are not native but are still vital pollinators in Indiana.
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Bumble Bees: Bumble bees are robust, hairy bees that form small annual colonies underground. There are around 25 bumble bee species in Indiana. Common species include the American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) and brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis). Their colonies are much smaller than honey bees.
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Carpenter Bees Carpenter bees resemble bumble bees but are solid black or black and yellow. They create tunnel nests in wood earning their name. The eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) is native and widespread in Indiana. Carpenter bees are solitary rather than forming colonies.
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Mason Bees Mason bees use mud to build nests for their larvae rather than excavating tunnels They are solitary bees and important early spring pollinators in Indiana Blue orchard mason bees (Osmia lignaria) are managed for their pollination services.
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Mining Bees: Mining bees excavate long tunnels in soil using their strong mandibles. Most are ground nesters, while some nest in rotting wood. These solitary bees include the digger bees (Anthophora spp.) and the Southeastern blueberry bee (Habropoda laboriosa) which pollinates blueberries.
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Leafcutter Bees Leafcutter bees slice circular pieces of leaves to line their nests. They carry pollen on the underside of their abdomens making them very effective pollinators. The alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata) is an important managed pollinator.
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Sweat Bees: Sweat bees are tiny, shiny bees that lick sweat for its moisture and salts. They never sting but can be a nuisance. The metallic green sweat bee (Augochlora pura) is a common species in Indiana. Despite their small size, sweat bees are valuable native pollinators.
Wasps
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Paper Wasps: Paper wasps have slender, wasp-waisted bodies and dangling legs. They build open comb nests from chewed wood pulp under eaves and ledges. Common species in Indiana include the northern paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus), metric paper wasp (Polistes metricus), and invasive European paper wasp (Polistes dominula).
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Yellowjackets: Yellowjackets have black and yellow markings and build nests underground or in wall voids. Common Indiana species are the eastern yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) and invasive German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica). Yellowjackets can be aggressive when defending their large colonies.
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Potter & Mason Wasps: Potter wasps build clay nests resembling pots to house their young, while mason wasps use mud. Species like the black and white potter wasp (Eumenes fraternus) and four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens) are solitary, docile insects.
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Cicada Killer Wasps: The huge cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus) is Indiana’s largest wasp. It paralyzes cicadas to provision its underground burrows. The female cicada killers are solitary while males congregate. Their size can be intimidating but they rarely sting.
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Sand Wasps: Sand wasps such as the great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) nest in the ground and provision their nests with insects. The female stings her prey to paralyze it before carrying it to her burrow. Different species specialize on certain insects like katydids or grasshoppers.
Hornets
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Bald-Faced Hornets: Despite their name, bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are actually aerial yellowjackets. They build large paper nests suspended from trees and eaves. Bald-faced hornets are common in Indiana and aggressively defend their nest.
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European Hornets: The true European hornet (Vespa crabro) is the only true hornet in Indiana. It has a brown and yellow color pattern and makes a large concealed nest. Though not native, European hornets are less aggressive than bald-faced hornets unless their nest is disturbed.
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Southern & Northern Yellowjackets: Southern (Vespula squamosa) and northern (Dolichovespula arenaria) yellowjackets are sometimes called hornets, though they are not true hornets. Both species can be pests, building large nests in structures. Northern yellowjackets are less common in Indiana than southern yellowjackets.
While bees, wasps, and hornets may seem like pests, they are important pollinators and predators that keep ecosystems balanced. With caution and proper identification, Hoosiers can coexist safely with these misunderstood insects. Knowing the most common species is the first step in appreciating the buzzing diversity of beneficial insects around us.
HONEY BEES IN BUILDINGS
Honey bees may build colonies in hollow walls, chimneys, and attics of buildings. They might bother or sting the people who live here, and their colonies, unlike other social bee and wasp colonies, might be a problem all the time. Additionally, the nest’s wax combs could melt, letting honey leak through walls and damage finishes inside. When honeycombs are left empty, scavenger insects may move in or rodents may be drawn to them, which can bring more problems into the home. So, honey bee colonies in buildings should be taken down or destroyed, but this should be done very carefully.
It is possible to destroy honeybee colonies in buildings by injecting 5% carbaryl (Sevin) dust (Apicide%C2%AE) into the entrance hole or drilling a hole through the wall and into the nest itself. Dusts should be used according to the directions on the label and are easiest to apply with a plunger-type garden duster that has had the baffle taken off.
Treatment should be done at night when bees are less active and nearly all are inside the colony. To avoid stings, wear a bee veil and gloves, and tie shirt sleeves and trouser legs. After the bees have completely disappeared, try to remove the honey and honeycomb, and close the entrance securely.
Bumble bees are social insects that live in small underground colonies. Some colonies are in straw or other insulating materials. They are hairy, yellow or orange, and black. Most species aggressively defend their colonies and warrant control. To control, follow recommendations mentioned for ground nesting yellowjackets.
SOCIAL BEES AND WASPS
Timothy J. Gibb, Extension Entomologist
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Controlling bees and wasps in and around buildings, parks, and campgrounds may be difficult and possibly hazardous. Some people are very sensitive to the poison that bees and wasps inject, and a lot of other people are very afraid of these common insects. Most commercial pest control companies know how to deal with bees and wasps and can help you get rid of them when you need to.
All female wasps and bees can sting (males are harmless), but only the social species do it aggressively to protect their colonies. Solitary species rarely sting; typically, only if mishandled. So, you should be able to tell the difference between social bees (like honey bees and bumble bees) and social wasps (like hornets, yellowjackets, and paper wasps) and their solitary relatives, like carpenter bees, cicada killers, mud daubers, and so on. (See E-63 “Solitary Bees and Wasps: Carpenter Bee, Cicada Killer and Mud Daubers”).
Truly social bees and wasps exist in colonies associated with some type of elaborate nest. Colonies are easily recognized by the great amount of activity in and out of the single nest site. Even though they sometimes live in groups, solitary wasps and bees dig a small hole where the female raises a few young by herself. Such females do not defend their solitary nests.
All bees and wasps are good and should be protected unless they do direct damage by nesting or pose a stinging threat, like when a colony lives in or near buildings and places where a lot of people go. Leave colonies high up in trees or in places that people don’t go very often alone; they don’t pose a threat.
Bees and wasps can be distinguished both by their appearance and the type of nest they build. Almost all bees collect pollen to feed their young. To help them carry pollen, their bodies are rather hairy and their hind legs are flattened and hairy. In contrast, wasps capture insects to feed their young and are much less hairy. They also lack the flattened, hairy pollen basket on the hind leg.
What is the Difference Between Bees, Wasps, and Hornets?
FAQ
What are the aggressive bees in Indiana?
What kind of hornets live in Indiana?
How can you tell the difference between a wasp and a bee and a hornet?
What is the killer wasp in Indiana?
Are there wasps in Indiana?
Still, these wasps can also be found in Indiana. They have slender bodies with long legs. Their colonies are much smaller than other kinds of wasps, and they build paper-like combs. Paper wasps are much less aggressive than other wasps and can even be suitable for your garden as they feed on caterpillars.
Are Hornets dangerous in Indiana?
Regardless, the stinging venom can be extremely dangerous to individuals that have a wasp or hornet allergy. What types of hornets and wasps are common in Indiana? Bald-faced Hornet: Their black bodies and white faces help identify the bald-faced hornet. They live in large, grey, pear-shaped colonies commonly found hanging in trees.
Are all hornets wasps?
All hornets are wasps, but as is the case with the paper wasp, not all wasps are hornets. Still, these wasps can also be found in Indiana. They have slender bodies with long legs. Their colonies are much smaller than other kinds of wasps, and they build paper-like combs.
How many long horned bees are there in Indiana?
There are up to 30 species of Long-Horned Bees in Indiana! This bee group nests in holes dug by females, typically under shrubbery. The nests are branched, with tiny “rooms” at the end of each branch where a single bee will overwinter. Long-horned bees are solitary for much of their life.
Are paper wasps invasive in Indiana?
However, European Paper Wasps are an invasive species in Indiana. Unfortunately, they are now widespread, and researchers have found that they often outcompete native paper wasps and negatively affect caterpillars like the Monarch butterfly. One of the reasons they have spread across North America is because of their adaptability.
Are paper wasps hornets?
Paper Wasps: Again, paper wasps are in the same family, but not technically hornets. All hornets are wasps, but as is the case with the paper wasp, not all wasps are hornets. Still, these wasps can also be found in Indiana. They have slender bodies with long legs.